Where Music Lives

It’s been way too long since I properly reviewed an entire album. That’s not to say I haven’t been listening to any albums worth posting, just that it’s becoming harder and harder to find the actual time to write. Well, here’s an album worth breaking my silence for.

SHXCXCHCXSH (an unpronounceable name that sounds like noise or a drum pattern when sounded out) are an anonymous duo hailing from Sweden. Known for blurring the lines between techno, experimental, and industrial, SHXCXCHCXSH have released their finest work yet. As RA mentions:

The LP jumps from noisy abrasion to melodic sweetness and back again, all with a determinedly off-kilter slant. The tracks even have intelligible names this time (though we’re still not sure what they’re supposed to mean).

Linear S Decoded is a warm yet abstract journey, finding harmony in blending just the right amount of noise, distortion, 4/4 kicks, ambiance and melody. It’s much softer than previous releases, though far more impactful.

I’m not sure if 2008 qualifies for a throwback just yet, but we can make an exception as this mix is just too damn good. Recorded back in 2008 before I had any idea who Silent Servant or Sandwell District were, this mix is just as relevant 6 years later – instantly bringing my back to memories of train stations and hangovers.